Opening by Amy Woodroffe
Feature by Sarah Ashcroft
Photography by @clxmmorris
Published 12.06.2025

Izland Interview: Layal

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What got you into the music industry and who are your biggest inspirations in this space?

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I grew up singing all the time, mainly covers, and I always knew that I wanted to be an artist, so it naturally progressed into getting involved with the music industry when I moved to London in 2018 and started doing it professionally. I think it’s so important for every artist, especially indie artists, to understand the music industry and business because it’s going to dictate how your career is going to go. After releasing my first single two weeks before COVID and lockdown started, I took that time to understand the business and the music scene in both the UK and the Middle East, and it really set me up for what’s to come after that.My biggest inspiration in the space, music wise are Erykah Badu, Kali Uchis, Jorja Smith, Tems, among many more. However, as an artist in general, I really respect people such as Doechii, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter – they are taking it to a whole new level. They crafted a whole world for each song and album and have kind of changed the dynamics in the relationship between artists and their fans, while also navigating the industry so flawlessly and swiftly, which I draw so much inspiration from because as an indie artist, you want to learn how to remain in control of your narrative and work for as long as you can and they are demonstrating that.

 

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How would you describe your style of music and how do you keep your music relevant?

 

Oh gosh, my style kind of follows a feeling rather than a specific genre, which sounds so basic I know. I love merging more than one genre together and creating a new sound out of it that is unique to me and the influences I have. It’s kind of like chemistry – just putting things together and seeing what comes out of it.I feel lucky that I have two main, huge music libraries that I can draw inspiration from – my UK influences and my Egyptian heritage – two worlds that are so far away from each other, but somehow work so well. In three words, I’d say it’s mystical, eclectic and thought-provoking.I consider listening to music and expanding my knowledge as an assignment, so I’m always looking for new artists to listen to or artists that were popular years ago. It definitely helps to listen to your influences’ influences. I keep up with new releases especially by charting artists because I think that it’s important to know what’s going on in the mainstream world as it dictates the next trends. I listen to music of different cultures, genres and languages too, from Latin to French to Sudanese to Japanese. I make sure that I take note of what sounds I enjoy that I’d like to incorporate in my music or my next release.

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What steps did you take when creating the film for your EP Lost in Translation?

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I initially started with the concept and what kind of feeling I wanted my listeners to feel while playing it – the message that I want to get across, what I wanted out of it as an artist and the kind of branding and colour palette, but that could also come while you’re creating because things change when you hear the music and you have to see where it will take you. Then, I put together a list of songs for references for the producer to get a better understanding of the vision I’m going for. While I’m working on it, I’m teasing it on social media and releasing a couple of tracks on it with a marketing plan, within 6-8 weeks from each other, then the whole EP would come after there’s been enough build-up for it. Sending your EPK and pitching it is so important too and you want to create a buzz around it before, during and after. I organised a photoshoot for new press photos that is mainly to upgrade my branding and strengthen it so that people can identify with it.I then planned an exclusive party for friends and fans, which was a really fun part to bring the world of the EP to life even more, plus giving away goodie bags with a small kit of things that you need while listening to the EP, such as incense sticks, crystals, stickers and a thank-you note to make it a bit more personalised.Now, after it’s out, post marketing is so important (I say that to myself as well), so I continued to create content for it online until the end of the year and to perform the songs live at gigs whenever I could. Later on, to push the EP even more, I created a short film for it that takes you on a journey of the EP and what the songs represent to me. Results might not come straight away, but you’d be surprised how things fall into place even if it's long after the release date. Even after it’s out, the EP continues to be reborn and take on new meaning.

 

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How was your experience of working with a band for the first time at Wireless Festival?

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Hearing my music played live by a band has been a dream of mine and to do it at Wireless festival has been the cherry on top. It felt amazing to be so close to the music and watch the musicians add their own interpretation and twist to it. In the long term, I would love to have a fixed band to play with me at every show as it makes a huge difference and even helps you understand the music more and its different components. In the end, the most important thing for me is live performances and connecting with the audience directly, so even while I’m creating the music, I think about how it would play out live, so playing it with a band and being able to give a proper show was a great opportunity that I’m so grateful for.

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How do you connect with your audience when you perform at different venues like The Blues Kitchen?

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Each event has its own vibe depending on the venue, the stage and the audience that it brings and I like to curate my sets based on that. You have to choose the right set list, look and stage presence because you don’t want to go to a mainly acoustic event and perform your most energetic tracks. So, with The Blues Kitchen for example, I knew I was playing with a band. I knew it was a standing gig, so people have the option to dance. I knew what the stage and lighting looked like, so I curated a set with songs that matched the vibe and made sure in between songs that I’m talking to the audience and getting energy from them too.

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What brought you to London from Egypt and has this had a big impact on your career?

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Shortly after graduating from university in Leeds, I went back to Egypt for a few months, but I just knew something was calling me to London, so I made the decision to move and it has totally and completely impacted my career – it’s what kicked it off in the first place. The music scene in London kind of just devours you and takes you in even if you’re not even trying and in no time, I found myself going to jam sessions and open mic nights, meeting other artists and creating my own community of connections. What I love about London as well, is that there are plenty of opportunities to help you kick-start your career as a musician from joining collectives, workshops, panel discussions to funding. I love how it’s celebrated and encouraged here. It gives you all the tools to do it and do it independently, which we LOVE.

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What role does your background and heritage play on your music?

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There was no question that my heritage will have an impact on my music. I just knew it was going to be a blend of both worlds. It’s like a compass for me that directs me. I always showcase it in my music, even in my fashion. Over the time, I have connected to it even more, especially because I’m far away from it, so I put extra effort in surrounding myself with it. It has been such a great journey to be honest. It’s part of my artistic persona for sure – wherever I am, I always try to represent it!

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What projects are you working on at the moment and what will help you stand out?

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The plan for this year is to refine my brand and strengthen it, more like create a story or narrative for it which will reflect through my music too. I definitely know what I want and I’m working super hard to get it and to stay consistent, which I think at the end of the day is what makes you stand out. It’s only early stages, but I’m already so in love with the project I’m working on now and I’m very excited for people to hear it.

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Have you got any upcoming collaborations and how do these partnerships influence your own music?

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Lately, I have been working with more women from my region and that just takes it that extra step because they also have so much knowledge to share, and I love hearing their perspectives or input on a project. I used to be hesitant about collaborating with people because I found it intimidating, but now I absolutely love it! It’s a two heads is better than one situation, I’ve learned to be open to feedback and criticism, so I always encourage that from them so that I can grow, so collaborating with people definitely helps me with that, plus it nice to see how everyone has their own style of working and kind of seeing that there isn’t just one way of doing this.

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What is your biggest dream that you're working towards?

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I just want to do this all the time! I want to be able to spend all my time creating music and visuals for it.Right now, I would love to perform in different countries, go on a support tour or even have my own lil tour. I would love to have a stage design and really be able to immerse the people in the music. I’m really looking forward to the time when I can work on another big project. I definitely want to release another EP and album and continue to push myself outside of the box.I want to bring my ideas to life. I am aiming to have a radio show too. I want to put on more events, not just for me but for other stuff too, such as panel discussions and events people, especially women can benefit from and connect with people. I want to collaborate with more artists, continue learning about music, play bigger stages, such as A COLORS Show or The Jazz Cafe for example, and have my music reach a bigger audience. So many things!! I just want to continue to get better at this and to have the opportunity to do it in the first place.

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